Tread for steps.



No. 645,744. Patented Mar. 20, |900. A. BISCHOFF.

TREAD F03 STEPS.

(Application tiled Jan. 12, 1900.)

(No Model.)

Ill!" Q l 2 PATENT Ormes."

ANTON ni'svonorn, or Nnw YORK, N. Y.

TREAD FOR STEPS.;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 645,744, dated March20, 1900. Application filed J/'anuary l2, 1900. Serial No. 1,207. (Nomodel.)

To @Z6 whom it may' con/eerie: l p

Be it known that I, ANTON BIsoHoFF, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city of New York, in the borough of Manhattan and Stateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Treadsfor Steps, of which the following is a specilication. Y Y

This invention relates to a tread for steps of cars, houses, and thelike; and the object of the same is to facilitate a persons mounting orgoing up the steps, so that there is little jarring to the body and sothat there is in consequence less fatigue.

The invention consists of a tread for steps which comprises a framehaving an opening,- a tread portion fitting into said opening, acushioning` spring for said tread portion, and means for connecting thecushioningspring with the frame, all as will be hereinafter describedindetail and then particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a perspective View of somecar-steps to which my improved tread is applied. Fig. 2 is an enlargedplan view of the tread. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of thesame. Fig. 4t is an under side of the improved tread; and Fig. 5 is anenlarged detail section, part broken away. y i

Similar' letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the oblong metallic or otherframe of the improved tread, one of which is attached at each end, asshown in Fig. l, to each tread of the pair of car-steps C. Within theopening a, formed by the frame yJA, is a movable springactuated treadportion B of a shape corresponding with that of the opening and whichnormally projects a suitable distance above theframeA..Adependingflangebsurrounds and projects from the edge of the treadportion B.

D indicates a pair of springs which act on the tread portion toraise itabove the frame A, as shown in Fig. 3. These springs are of plate metalin the form of strips bent into shape so as to form humps d and areprac-V tically double C-springs iiattened out somewhat. The said springsextend longitudinally, one being located at the front edge and the otherat the rear edge of the tread portion. The ends of the springs aresecured to bearers or ledges e at each corner ofthe opening ci oftheframe by meansrof fastenings e', and the intermediate or middle portionsof the springs are secured to a central cross-bar A of the frame byfastenings c2. The humps d of the' springs D are secured to the treadportion by fastenings cl. Preferably the holes es, through which thefastenings e' pass, are elongated, so as to permit a certain sliding'`motion to the ends of the springs and to secure a better spring action.By the described springs and fastenin gs a cer-tain spring action isimparted to the tread portion, and the same is connected with the frame,so that it cannot be dislocated. The frame A is provided with end piecesA2, which are secured thereto by suitable fastenings f. At each end ofthe frame is arranged a cross pin or rod G, around .which are coiled thesprings g, one end of each of whichbears upon the frame,while the otherend g is elongated and projects inwardly unel der and in contact withthe under surface of the tread portion. The auxiliary springs g arearranged at the front part of the tread portion B and supplement theaction of the adjacent springs D, so that the spring action on the frontpart of the tread portion is greater than on the rear part.

A person mounting the steps equipped with my improvement and walking upwill be assistedin stepping from one step to the next, as the springstend to elevate him or her, thus making it easier to go up and with lessfatigue.

The additional springs at the front part of each tread portion areinserted because the greater weight of the body falls there, and forthat reason a greater spring action is desirable at the point.

Having thus described my invention, I claimv as new and desire to'secureby Letters Patentn l. In a tread for steps, the combination, of a framehaving an opening, a tread portion `itted into said opening, acushioning-spring for said tread portion, and means for conneotingthecushioning-spring with the frame and tread portion, substantially as setforth.

2. In a tread for steps, the combination, of an oblong frame having anopening, a tread IOG portion corresponding to and fitting movably insaid opening, a cross-bar on the frame, cushioning-springs below saidtread portion, andfastenings connecting the springs to the ends of theframe, the cross-bar and the tread portion, substantially as set forth.

In a tread for steps, the combination, of an oblong frame having anopening, a tread portion corresponding to and iitting movably in saidopening, and suitable springs con neeted With the frame and actingupwardly on said tread portion, the springs at the front part of thetread being of greater combined strength than those at the rear part,substantially as set forth.

iliary cushioning-springs arranged only at 2o and acting upon the frontpart of the tread, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ANTON BISOHOFF.

l/Vitnesses:

M.' H. WURTZEL, GEORGE C. GEIBEL.

